Maine GOP Representative John Andrews has officially launched impeachment proceedings against Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. This move comes in response to Bellows’ decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the 2024 Republican primary ballot.
Judge Bellows, in her decision, cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who have participated in an insurrection from holding public office.
In a statement, Andrews expressed his intention by stating that he has filed a request with the Maine Revisor’s Office to:
“…file a Joint Order, or whichever is the proper parliamentary mechanism under Mason’s Rules, to impeach Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.”
During an interview with Fox News Digital, Andrews voiced his criticism of the appointment process for the Secretary of State in Maine. He expressed his concerns by stating, “The process needs to be reevaluated and improved.”
“In Maine, the people do not elect the Secretary of State, Attorney General or Treasurer. They are chosen by elected Democrat Party insiders after deals are made in the back room of The State House.
“Shenna Bellows knows that the process that put her there is extremely partisan,” he continued. “She should know better and be going out of her way to be as neutral as possible to serve every citizen in Maine and not just registered Democrats.
“That’s why she swore an oath to the Constitution and not the Democrat Party,” he added. “We are still a republic, but moves like this fracture that foundation, which ultimately is the point of all this.”
In his remarks, Andrews highlighted the reasons for impeachment, focusing on Bellows’ decision to prevent American citizens and the 45th President of the United States from appearing on the Maine Republican Party ballot in March. He asserted that Trump, who has not been convicted or impeached, fulfills all the requirements for the primary, and there is no existing law in the State of Maine that would prevent the former President from being included on the ballot.
In a separate press release, Andrews criticized Bellows’ decision on social media, describing it as a blatant display of hyper-partisanship. He also accused her of making this move to further her own political ambitions in the upcoming 2026 Democrat Primary for Governor.
During a recent interview on “Fox & Friends,” Andrews expressed his criticism towards Bellows for depriving Maine voters of their rights. He also commended U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, for standing against Bellows’ decision, even though Golden may not be a fan of Trump. Golden, like many other Americans, emphasized the significance of adhering to the law and granting Trump the right to be on the ballot, unless he is proven guilty of the crime of insurrection. It’s worth noting that Trump has never been charged, indicted, or convicted of this crime.
In a CNN interview, Bellows justified her decision by highlighting that Section Three of the 14th Amendment does not mandate a conviction but rather focuses on involvement in insurrection. However, it is worth noting that as of now, no individual has been charged or convicted of any insurrection in relation to the events of January 6, 2021. Most law enforcement agencies, including the DOJ, categorize these events as a riot rather than an insurrection. Consequently, any legal argument opposing this classification would face significant challenges in an American court of law.
Bellows’ ruling, similar to the one in Colorado, has sparked constitutional concerns and is paving the way for potential legal conflicts. This highlights the contentious overlap between legal interpretations and political consequences. As the debate continues, Maine’s political arena emerges as a central focus in the broader conversation surrounding the understanding and implementation of constitutional provisions.
Rest assured, The Veracity Report and Wild Orchid Media will continue to provide you with the latest updates and information on this developing story.
The formation of this story was influenced by various sources, including Newsweek, Rolling Stone Magazine, Fox News, WSME, The Associated Press, and Reuters.
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